- Approximate light
- 1000–1500 fc
- Day temperature
- 20–29 °C
- Relative humidity
- 50–70%
This is general guidance by genus. Species, hybrids, potting mix and your home conditions may call for different care. Check moisture and actual growth before following a schedule.
Light and position
Choose bright, indirect light. An east-facing window often offers gentle morning sun. Filter intense sun with a curtain and watch how the leaves respond; the brightest orientation depends on your hemisphere and season.
When and how to water
Water thoroughly when the medium is nearly dry; also check moisture inside the pot and its weight. Visible root color is a clue, not the only criterion. Drain well and avoid water collecting in the saucer or crown, without keeping the plant dry for a prolonged period.
Potting mix and container
Medium pine bark, alone or with a handful of sphagnum. Clear pot with plenty of holes: the roots photosynthesise and you want to see them.
Feeding during growth
Orchid fertiliser at quarter strength, every other watering while growing. Once a month flush the bark with plain water to wash out salts.
When to repot
Check the mix every year or two and replace it when it breaks down. For a healthy plant, repotting after flowering is usually convenient. If roots are rotting, address the problem even during bloom. Remove clearly dead or deteriorated tissue; brown color alone is not enough.
Dormancy and seasonal changes
No true rest period. Water less in winter because the bark dries slower, not because the plant sleeps.
Flowering and new growth
Bloom duration and frequency depend on the hybrid and its conditions. Some plants branch from a healthy green spike after flowering; others do not. You can keep healthy spikes to watch their development and remove dry ones. Slightly cooler nights can encourage new spikes in many hybrids. Avoid severe cold and drafts; not all types respond to the same trigger.
What to watch for
Water trapped in the crown can encourage rot. Avoid standing water and check airflow, roots and potting mix if the plant loses firmness.
A FloraFlor care guide based on its app library, with editorial revisions for the web. Sources and further reading: RHS · Phalaenopsis growing guide · American Orchid Society · Phalaenopsis. No affiliation or endorsement is implied.
Let your plant set the pace
Save your Phalaenopsis in FloraFlor, note when you watered it and record photos of its changes. Adjust reminders to your season and hemisphere, and log care after you have actually done it.
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